R-172

The R-172, also known as the KS-172S1, is a long-range air-to-air missile intended to hit high value airborne targets such as tanker aircraft and airborne early warning (AE&W) aircraft from distances of up to 400 kilometers. The missile is a follow-on development of the failed KS-172 missile re-started in 2003 or 2004 to equip the Russian and Indian Air Forces Su-30MKI/SM and Su-35S fighter aircraft. Even the Su-34 bomber could launch this long-range air-to-air missile. The missile is too long to fit into the Su-50/T-50 stealth fighter weapons bays. The R-172 missile weighs about 750 kilograms and is provided with a 50-kilogram blast fragmentation warhead. The missile features a solid propellant rocket booster which allows achieving cruise speeds in excess of Mach 3. The navigation system combines the inertial navigation system (INS) with mid-course target updates and an active radar seeker at the final phase of flight to engage the intended target. The R-172 missile was expected to enter service with the Russian Air Force in the 2018-2020 timeframe. Recent reports suggest that entered service in May 2025. The final R-172 missile seems to share technologies from the 9M83M interceptor missile with a maximum range of 500 kilometers and a top speed of Mach 5.5 or 6. The Mig-31BM interceptor is able to carry four R-172 missiles.

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